Walking With God

WALKING WITH GOD: MORE THAN PHYSICALLY WALKING

I have always found that the best way to explore a new place is to walk through it. Of course, there are faster ways to get around:

• taking the Tube in London and popping up at stations all over the city,
• hopping on a bus and taking in the postcard views as you ride by, or
• boarding a high-speed train and watching the scenery flash past.

For me, however, the best way is to walk. It slows me down so I can take in the sights, sounds, and smells around me. I feel more connected to and can deeply experience my surroundings. Even getting lost carries the potential to discover unexpected but pleasant surprises.

Walking shows up frequently in the Bible:

• Enoch walked with God – for over 300 years. (Genesis 5:21 -24)
• Noah walked faithfully with God. (Genesis 6:9)
• Micah wrote about walking humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)

When we walk with God, we are in good company. I realize that some reading this may not be able to physically walk or (like me) may have limitations that restrict their ability to walk very far. Remember that walking with God is more than the act of physically walking. It is moving with Him in our thoughts and actions.

As for us, we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever. (Micah 4:5)

WHAT CAN WE LEARN ABOUT WALKING?

Let’s look at what walking can teach us and how we can apply this to our relationship with God.

WALKING CAN TEACH US TO:

1. Be intentional: Just as we find time in the day to go for a walk, we also need to be intentional about spending time with God and His Word and allowing His perspective to become ours.
2. Set a good pace: For many of us, life is fast-paced. Experts say we should be able to comfortably talk while walking; if we cannot, we are probably going too fast. This reminds us to find a pace of life that keeps our relationship with God growing and the conversation flowing. If you are like me, maybe your life has slowed down due to your illnesses. This can be a blessing.
3. Walk anywhere: The terrain, the weather, or the time of day do not matter. We can walk – and no matter what the landscape of life is, we can talk with God anywhere and anytime.
4. Enjoy companionship: It‘s so nice to have a walking partner. When we walk with someone, we don’t run ahead or lag behind. We walk in step with each other. Oh, how we need to keep in step with the Spirit!
5. Be open to possibilities: Walking can open our eyes to what’s around us in new ways. How does God want us to see things? Where might He want to lead us? Let’s be open to what God has for us in our walk with Him.

Walking with God in these ways allows the Spirit to open new possibilities and perspectives. As we slow down, we get to know God more deeply – what a privilege! I love Mark Buchanan‘s explanation in his book, God Walk: “That is one of the mysteries of walking: it keeps driving a place deeper into us and yet keeps opening up its secrets if we are attentive as we walk.”

Let’s take God up on His desire to walk with us today.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for teaching us so much through walking. We want to be people who walk humbly and faithfully with You. Thank You for walking each step of our journey with us. May we press into You as we walk with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. How is your walk with God these days?
2. What rings true for you today from this devotion?
3. Are you open to what God has for you in your walk with Him?

INVITATION

Why not take a look at Chronic Joy’s Prayers for Movement? Some of the prayers may be especially meaningful and helpful for you.